By Jeneba A Conteh
Mohamed Lamin Conteh, a 25-year-old contractor, and Osman Jalloh, a 32-year-old businessman, have been remanded in custody for allegedly possessing 170 wraps of kush.
The two appeared before Magistrate Santigie Bangura at Pademba Road Court No.2 in Freetown.
The accused face two charges of unlawful possession of kush, contrary to Section 8(a) of the National Drugs Control Act 2008, No.10 of 2008.
According to the indictment, on Friday, May 3, 2024, in Funkia Goderich, Western Area, Freetown, Conteh was allegedly found with 70 wraps of kush weighing 30.5 grams without lawful authority.
The second charge states that Jalloh was found with 100 wraps of kush weighing 40.5 grams at the same location and date, also without lawful authority.
The charges were read and explained to the accused, but no plea was taken. Prosecutor Sergeant 9155 Dwight Macarthy requested a short adjournment to confer with his witness.
Defense counsel A.M.Y Kamoka applied for bail on behalf of the accused, arguing that they are Sierra Leonean residents with reliable sureties who are willing to go into recognizance.
He assured the court that the accused would not interfere with prosecution witnesses or absconds. The bail application was made pursuant to Section 79(2) of the Criminal Procedure Act No.32 of 1965.
However, Magistrate Bangura denied bail due to the seriousness of the allegations and remanded the accused to the male correctional facility in Freetown. The matter has been adjourned to June 10, 2024, for further proceedings.
